An introduction to the Multidisciplinary Team for head and neck cancer care

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1 An introduction to the Multidisciplinary Team for head and neck cancer care The Sussex Cancer Centre Information for patients

2 Introduction We would like to introduce the multidisciplinary team for head and neck cancer care in Sussex. We are a specialist team and part of the Sussex Cancer Network. Who are the Multidisciplinary Team? The multidisciplinary team consists of doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals who all have specialist training and experience in the diagnosis, care and treatment of head and neck cancer. Keyworker Your keyworker will be your point of contact throughout your treatment for support information and advice. Your keyworker will be the clinical nurse specialist or the specialist radiographer. They will introduce themselves to you. How do we work? We work closely together to plan and deliver the most effective treatment and care for each individual patient. This is done in consultation with the patients and their families. The multidisciplinary team meets weekly on a Wednesday to discuss the diagnosis, care and treatment of each patient. Decisions made at the meeting are then discussed with the patients and their family in the joint head and neck clinic and a treatment plan is agreed. You will have an opportunity to discuss your treatment options with the consultant and your keyworker. You may also meet other members of the hospital support team. 2

3 We have listed below some of the people who will be caring for you. Surgeons Consultant Oncologists Consultant Radiologists Consultant Histopathologist Clinical Nurse Specialists Brighton Worthing Eastbourne Specialist Radiographer Brighton Speech and Language Therapist Brighton Worthing Eastbourne and Hastings Dietitian Brighton Worthing Eastbourne and Hastings Research Nurse Co-ordinator Mr J Weighill, Mr S Lew-Gor Mr J Herold, Mr C Surwald Mr J Tighe, Mr M Monterio Dr J K Simpson, Dr R Simcock Dr I Francis, Dr G Burkhill Dr E Simpson, Dr V Raman Dr K Allen Mrs J Kerr (Macmillan) Mrs M Morley Mrs H Friend (Macmillan) Miss P Shields (Macmillan) Mr C Payten (Macmillan) Miss E Fitzpatrick Ms K McInally Mrs S Soni (Macmillan) Mrs C Brooks (Macmillan) Mrs F Pearson Miss J Smith Ms C Winch What hospital treatment and investigations will I have? Depending on the type of cancer which has been diagnosed you may require further investigations to be carried out before treatment starts, this may involve attending hospital as an outpatient or as an inpatient. 3

4 Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy or a combination of these. Patients needing surgery are normally admitted to Ward Level 8A East at The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton which is the specialist Head and Neck Ward. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given at The Sussex Cancer Centre, Brighton. What are Clinical Trials? These are research studies, which compare new or different treatments with the existing ones. If you are suitable for a clinical trial, the specially trained research nurse will meet you and provide you with the information that you will need to make a decision. If you are invited to join a clinical trial, you are free to choose whether or not you take part in it. What is the Patient Held Record? This is an optional record book available that has been produced by a range of health care professionals and patients across the Sussex Cancer Network. The aim of the booklet is to help improve information for patients and communication between hospital staff; GP s; District Nurses and other community staff. There is a space in the booklet to allow you to record your own personal notes, medication treatments and appointments. Is there someone I can talk to? The diagnosis and subsequent treatment/s of head and neck cancer can have a major emotional effect on not only the patient but also their family and friends. 4

5 Your Key worker will provide information about your particular type of cancer and advice supportive care not only through your treatment but also during your recovery period. In addition, the Psychological Support team are based at the Sussex Cancer Centre and offer confidential support and advice. Ask your Key worker for details. There are some contact numbers on the back page of people you may find helpful to talk to. The Clinical Nurse Specialists and the Specialist Radiographer, who may also be known as you key worker, are here to provide supportive care and advice or information about your particular type of cancer not only during your treatment but also in your recovery period. How can we improve our service? The health service is always looking for ways of improving services and understanding the views of the patients. For this purpose a questionnaire has been developed, with professional support by patients who have had first hand experience of cancer and are members of the Sussex cancer partnership group. We intend to use this information to help us identify where patient experiences have been positive and also importantly where further work and improvement is needed. You may receive one of these questionnaires by post. Receipt and completion of the questionnaire is entirely voluntary. Please inform your key worker if you do NOT want to receive a questionnaire. Be assured that if you decide to receive and complete a questionnaire that your comments will be treated in absolute confidence and will not affect any future care. An independent auditor will assess the outcome. 5

6 Support groups, Sussex Cancer Network Yakity Yak Laryngectomy support Group The Yakity Yak support is for patients who have had a laryngectomy and their carers. It provides them with an opportunity to meet other laryngectomy patients and carers in similar situations to share experiences and learn from each other. When and where are the meetings held? The meetings are held every two months usually in the Audrey Emerton Building, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. Further information available from Chris Payten, Macmillan speech and language therapist, Ext 7211 christopher.payten@nhs.net or Jo Kerr, Macmillan head and neck clinical nurse specialist Ext 7435 josephine.kerr@nhs.net THANCS, The Head and Neck Cancer Support Group In December 2012 a new support group for patients who have had treatment for head and neck cancer and their families and friends was set up in Brighton. The aim of the support group is to provide an opportunity for people to share their experience, exchange information and to support each other. When and where are the meetings held? Meetings are held each year, usually in the Audrey Emerton Building, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. Further information available from Pat Shields, Macmillan head and neck specialist radiographer Ext 7436 pat.shields@bsuh.nhs.uk or Jo Kerr, Macmillan head and neck clinical nurse specialist Ext 7435 josephine.kerr@nhs.net 6

7 Useful telephone numbers Macmillan head and neck cancer specialist nurses Brighton Ext Worthing Ext Eastbourne Macmillan head and neck Specialist Radiographer Ext Macmillan speech and language therapists Brighton Ext Eastbourne Ext Macmillan dietitian Brighton Ext Worthing Ext Hastings Macmillan psychological support team ENT enquiries Ext Maxillofacial enquiries Ext Cancer Centre reception Ext Radiotherapy reception Chemotherapy Royal Sussex County Hospital Ext Eastbourne District General Hospital Ext Howard 1 Ward Ext Level 8A East Ward Ext. 4345/6 Macmillan Information Line (including Macmillan benefits helpline) Countrywide supplies (Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy service) NHS Free smoking helpline Benefits enquiry line, Brighton and Hove Sussex Cancer Network

8 Useful websites Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Disclaimer The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner. C P I G Ref number: 458 Publication Date: June 2012 Review Date: June 2014 carer and patient information group approved